Kolea Golden Plover Habitat

In Hawaii, the Kolea are found on mudflats, fields, lawns and grassy mountain slopes from sea level to elevations of 10,000 feet. They choose grassy areas where they can find insects to eat. In Hawaii, they are often found on golf courses, roosting on roof tops, pastures, marshes, residential areas, and even in the city.

Kolea are very aggresive in protecting their wintering grounds in Hawaii. They return to the same area on a yearly basis. Many will even setup individual territories about the size of a football field. The young are less territorial and many gather together in flocks.

The Kolea is a migratory shorebird which can fly long distances without stopping. It spends the spring and summer in the Arctic and other areas of North America. During August and early fall months, the Kolea flies toward its wintering grounds in Hawaii. There are about 90,000 Kolea in the world, 74,000 of which are found in the Hawaiian Islands. On Oahu, there are an estimated 15,000 Kolea.